
Developing Spent Fuel Strategies
Generating new solutions for spent fuel waste management and addressing broader fuel cycle concerns
Nuclear materials, whether used in weapons systems or for energy programs, are at risk of theft, sabotage, or diversion by state and non-state actors alike. A lack of political focus, patchy regulations, and inconsistent enforcement globally could pave the way for an act of nuclear terrorism. Additionally, as the demand for nuclear energy grows, so does the risk that individual countries could divert nuclear materials from peaceful purposes to develop clandestine nuclear weapons programs.
NTI’s Nuclear Materials Security Program works to strengthen global nuclear security and verifiably prevent the spread of nuclear materials that could be used to create a nuclear bomb. The program works closely with governments, industry, and other non-government organizations to better secure vulnerable nuclear materials or eliminate them where possible. It also seeks to identify and implement new approaches to the nuclear fuel cycle, reducing proliferation risks, and fostering responsible nuclear energy growth. NTI establishes practical solutions by convening leaders, developing actionable recommendations, and tracking progress on commitments, taking into account each stage of the nuclear fuel cycle and advanced reactor development.
Our work includes:
Generating new solutions for spent fuel waste management and addressing broader fuel cycle concerns
Building a safer, more secure, and more proliferation-resistant nuclear fuel cycle
Breaking down gender barriers and making gender equity a working reality
Strengthening the global nuclear security system
Minimizing the use of HEU in civil applications
Engaging a diverse group of states to develop innovative monitoring and verification solutions
Improving verification to prevent nuclear weapons proliferation
Building a framework for assurance, accountability, and action
“The bottom line is that the countries and areas with the greatest responsibility for protecting the world from a catastrophic act of nuclear terrorism are derelict in their duty,” the 2023 NTI Index reports.
“The bottom line is that the countries and areas with the greatest responsibility for protecting the world from a catastrophic act of nuclear terrorism are derelict in their duty,” the 2023 NTI Index reports.
NTI Senior Director Nickolas Roth participated in the second-ever joint meeting of the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management (INMM) and the European Safeguards Research and Development Association (ESARDA).
The International Partnership for Nuclear Disarmament Verification (IPNDV) convened its most recent working meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico from April 24-28, 2023, hosted by Sandia National Laboratories.
NTI convened nuclear security leaders from across governments and industry, as well as international, research, and non-governmental organizations, for the sixteenth meeting of the Global Dialogue on Nuclear Security Priorities in Vienna, Austria.